Frame structure.



PATENTED JUNE 26. 1906.

E. MOLLOY. FRAME STRUCTURE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1003.

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PATENTBD JUNE 26, 1906.

E. MOLLOY; FRAME STRUCTURE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. Y

M @vpwvl WIT E8858: mi /M M5 Mai PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906.

E. MOLLOY. FRAME STRUCTURE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1903.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

' WITIVESSES: I TEA MA INVE NTOR EdmondMaZZqy ATTORNEYJ UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

EDMOND MOLLOY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FRAME STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1906.

Application filed June 5,1903. 'Seria1No.160,2'76.

Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FrameStructur'es, "ofwhich the following is a specifica-.

tion. I

My. invention relates to improvements in frame structures, wherein Ihave devised a construction which is more simple, economical, andeffective than most of the systems used in framing structures andstructural work.

In a prior aplplication filed by me on July 3,1902, Serial 0. 114,262, Ihave'claimed, broadly, a novel tubular structure, while in the presentap lication I have shown and claimed the a aptation and utilization ofsaid structure in the constructionof trusses, roofs, and similarstructures.

Tubular metal as the means for carrying out my invention implies hollowpiping, preferably round iron, steel, brass, and other material of whichipe and round forms may be made, althoug round forms of wood or stoneare also applicable. Pipe-iron, es ec'iallygas-pipe iron, being such a.fami iar commodit to the public may and can be used large y in myinvention, and this pipeiron is herein represented in order that theinvention may be readily understood from the following description ofthe frame structure. It may be noted that numerous fittings andcouplings of various shapes, which --may be readily obtained from themanufacturers in plumbers and fitters supplies may also be used in astructure of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a truss.Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a part ofthe truss shown byFi 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the truss shown by Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is avertical cross-section through the truss. Figs. 5 and 6 are views inside and end elevation of a V-shaped purlin. Figs. 7 and 8 are views inside and end elevation, respectively,

of a s uare tubular frame. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly insection, of a tension member adapted for use in connection with adjacentrunners of tubular structure. Figs.

10 and 11 are views in end and side elevation of a weight-carryingdevice or girder. Figs.

12 and 13 are end and side views of another form of girder similar toFigs. 10 and 11, but of reduced height. Fig. 14 is a plan view of aframing for walls. Fig. 15 is a plan view of a post or column which maybe designated as a cluster column. Fig. 16 is an elevation of aportionof an arch. Fig. 17 isa plan of a' structure used in wharves,piers, caisso'ns, and cofier-dams; and Fig. 18 is an elevation of one ofthe pipes and of the stems used framed structure of Fig. 17. v r

The truss shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3 ofthe drawings is shown as consistingofrunners O C, arranged in the same horizontal plane,.

other runners O 0, arranged in inclined planes, and the members or stemsm, extendm from the runnersfO to the runners C. A jacent runners in thesame" horizontal plane are connected in: airs by 'the tension members K,one of w 'ch is shown more;

clearly by Fig. 9 of the drawings. Said't'ension member consists of theT-shaped couplings k'and thestem k. .The sleeves of the cou ling 7c are'fitted loosely on the runners oft e structure, and the elbows of thesecouplings are provided with right and left hand threads, respectively.The stem is is provided at its respective ends with right and left handthreads, said threaded ends being screwed into the elbows and con lingsin a way to make the end portions of the stem k engage or bindfrictionally with the runners, the threads of the stem and the cou lingscooperating to draw the couplings an the runners toward each other,whereby the endortions of each stem are adapted to have frictional entheEach member or stem m is supported by or connected at its lower end tothe stem of one tension member between the runners while the upper endof said stem is connected in like manner to the stem of a tension devicebetween the upper runners C. In some cases, however, employ a pluralityor group of these stems M between the airs of upper and lower runners,and in or or toconnect the end portions of said group of stems to theair of runners I employ the group of memers J J. (Shown more clearly byFig. 3.) The end portions of the stems .m are connected by couplings tothe stem of the middle member J, said stem of the middle member beinunthreaded and adapted to be slipped loose y into sleeves which arefitted on the runners. The outside tension members J' U have their stemsthreaded. into sleeves of the .cou lin'gs similar to, the constructionshown by ig. 9, andlthese two outside members J J are adapted to bindthe"chords of the truss at the intersections and to keep the stems intheir positions at the top and bottom of the truss. At the end or heel Kof the truss the sameoperation is performed with stems m, which arenumerous enough to strengthen said heel of the truss. A frame structureof pipe-iron constructed in the described manner is suitable for theconstruction of trusses of any form. The truss may be used in theconstruction of roofing, as represented by Figures 2 and 4 of thedrawings, which represent urlins w on the top of the truss and boarsheathing In Figs. 5 ani 6 of the drawings I have shown a V-shapedpurlin which can be used in securing one truss to another. A iece ofwood can be laid in this figure, to whic sheetmetal or board coveringcan be fastened or sheet-metal or boarding u can be laid on the lowermembers of said purlins for receiving another covering which is equallyas elfective.

In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawin s I have shown a square frame consistingof ongitudinal runners and suitable cross-pieces, the latter formingtension members and constructed as shown more clearly by Fig. 9.

In Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings I have represented another form of myframed structure, wherein a weight-carr 'ng device or girder is shown,the same being suitable for su porting a joist or the like, (indicatedat L? This girder is represented as being composed of suitable runners Gwhich are provided with sleeves 7c, and into these sleeves are screwedthe stems 7c This form of construction may also be used in a chair orsettee having legs attached thereto, and it may be employed in theconstruction of stair-steps, while conveyances, such as a wagon orpushcart, may be conveniently framed, the structure being used in thebody of such conveyance. It is evident that two of the structures (shownby Figs. IO-and 11.) may be placed at any convenient distance a'partandunited at their bottom portions by staffs in order toform a foot-bridgeor the bottom of a vehicle; I

Fi s. 12 and 13 represent another form of weig t-carrying device orgirder, which is of reduced height as com ared with the irder of Figs.10 and 11. T 's girder may a so .be used for supporting a joist(indicated atL) without diminishing the strength of the girder, theheight of' the irder L in Fig. 13 being less thanthat of t e joist L inFig. 11.

In Fig. 14" of the drawings I havev shown my framedstructure adapted foruse as a framin for Walls. This framing is indicated general y by thereference character W, and with the framingis associated suitable stemsV, which may best'raight or arched, although the straight form is shownfor convenience.

In Fig. 15 of the drawings I have shown apost or column which may betermed a cluster column and is constructed substantially in the same wayas the structures heretofore described-that is to say, suitable runnersC are employed in connection with the sleeves k and the stems k Thecolumn ma be of any suitable diameter, and any desirab enumber of stemsand sleeves can be used in the construction of said column. When it isdesired to produce a double diamond column or an X-shaped column, therunners and stems are arranged accordingly. It will also be understoodthat turnstiles and revolving doors may be constructed in accordancewith the structure of Fig. 15.

In Fig. 16 I have shown a portion of an arch wherein the runners C arebent to the shape of the inside and outside of the arch. The sleeves arequite short, although the stems k may be a little larger than theregular stems, the parts being pushedto their proper places, so that thestems should be on a line with the radius describing the arch.

v In Fig. 17 of the drawings I have shown a construction adapted to beemployed in the building of wharves, deep-water piers, caissons, orcofier-dams. Assuming that it is desired. to build a pier, I employrunners C which are of suitable height, and these runners are joined inpairs by the sleeves k and the stems k. The pairs of pipes are put downas aline ofposts on each side of the intended pier, and on these postsare laid the sills S. (Indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 17.) Thesesills carry the stringers or platform, also indicated by dotted lines atS, and on the platformis laid the outlineof the intended pier, whichpier is framed with the pipes or runners C and the stems m The runners Care shorter than the posts G, and the inner portion of the intended piermay then be framed or arranged substantially in the man- 'ner shown byFig. 17. When the frame composed of the short runners C is finished, Iemploy longer runners C, which are dropped through the runners C to thebottom and are held perpendicularly, the runners C being held on therunners C by suitable checkscrews -N, one of which is shown by Fig. 18so as to'secure the long runners C to the short runners C. I then removethe stringers, loosen the chuck-screws, and the frame, consisting of thelong runners C slides to the bottom on the runners C, which are stillheld in perpendicular positions I by the pipes. Smaller stems than thoseon the short runners are now put on the longer runners, and a skeletonpier-is thus made which is capable filled in and carried solidly to anydesired height. 7 I Having thus described my invention, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- I I 1. A frame structurehaving runners, tenof being covered over at the top or of being sionmembers connecting said runners in pairs, each tension member beingadapted to exert pressure on opposite sides of each runner, and stemsheld by said tension members.

2. A frame structure having runners arranged in pairs, tension membersconnecting the runners of each pair, each tension member being adaptedto exert pressure'on opposite sides of each runner, and stems betweensaid tension members of the respective pairs of runners.

3. A frame structure having runners, tension members connecting saidrunners and binding them in pairs, each tension member being adapted toexert pressure on opposite sides of each runner, and diagonal stemsfitted to the tension members.

4. In a frame structure longitudinal runners, tension members locatedbetween each .pair of runners, and means whereby the group of tensionmembers connecting the runners in pairs, and stems fitted to saidtension members.

6. In a frame structure, runners arranged in pairs, tension membersbetween the runners of each pair each of which is adapted to exertendwise thrust thereon, and stems connecting said tension members.

7. In a frame structure, pairs of runners, tension members arranged ingroups between each pair of runners, and stems connecting certaintension members of each group of the respective pairs of runners.

8. In a frame structure, longitudinal runners, T-pieces on said runners,and tension members screwed into the T-pieces and exerting endwisethrust on the runners.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDMOND INIOLLOY.

I/Vitnesses:

PATRICK H. ODEA, JAMES J. WHYTE.

